Chain-cutting mining machine



March 10, 1942. T. E. PRAY CHAIN-CUTTING MINING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR E. P ng 39PM ATTORNEY Filed June 14, 1941 March 10, 1942. T. E.PRAY -CUTTING MINING MACHINE- CHAIN Filed June 14, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2mvcu'rae E. P 5 A F'TORNEY March 10, 1942. T, E, PRAY 2,275,651

CHAIN-CUTTING MINING MACHINE Filed June 14, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 l I Imvzu-roe lwmax @znugp ATTORNEY March 10, 1942. PRAY 2,275,651

GHAIN-CUTTING MINING MACHINE Filed June 14, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 3'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlla I I l I cfk i ATTORNEY March 10, 1942. T.E. PRAY CHAIN-CUTTING MINING MACHINE 5 Sheet s-Sheet 5 Filed June 14,1941 WQ $0 No u%:--ro2 A TTOR NEY Patented Mar. 10, 1942 umrso STATESPATENT creme CHAIN-CUTTING MINING MACHINE Thomas E. Pray, Chicago, BL,assignor to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporationof Illinois Application June 14, 1941, Serial No. 397,999

12 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in chain-cutting mining machines,and more particularly relates to a new and improved form of machineadapted to cut recesses in the mine wall, for receiving and supportingcross supporting timbers for the mine roof.

In coal mines the cross supporting timbers are frequently supported inrecesses which are cut in the mine wall with a pick or drill; and whichare commonly called hitches. Such a method of supporting the crosstimbers effects a saving in posts as well as a saving in width of theentry, and is commonly used where conditions warrant the supporting ofthe roof on the side walls, but the cutting of these recesses hasheretofore been a slow and laborious process, even with a drillespecially designed for doing this.

The objects of my present invention are to remedy these difficulties byproviding a simple and novel form of cutting machine of the cutter barand chain type, particularly adapted to cut timber receiving recesses orhitches in the mine wall in anexpeditious and efficient manner.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide a novel arrangementof cutter chain type of cutting machine including two pairs of vertically spaced horizontally disposed cutter bars extending indiametrically opposite directions from each other, one of which bars isadapted to cut a timber receiving and supporting recess in one wall ofthe mine and the other of which bars is adapted to cut a similar timberreceiving and supporting recess in the opposite mine wall.

Other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as thefollowing specification proceeds and with reference to the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a hitch cutting machineconstructed in accordance with my invention, with certain parts brokenaway and certain other parts shown in substantially longitudinalsection;

Figure 2 is an end View of the machine shown in Figure l, with thecutting mechanism disposed transversely of its supporting truck, andshowing one pair of cutter bars cutting a timber receiving recess in themine wall;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the machine shown in Figure l,drawn to substantially the same scale as Figure l, with certain partsbroken away and certain otherparts shown in substantially horizontalsection;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view showing certain details of the meansfor locking the cutting element from transverse movement with respect tothe supporting truck;

Figure 5 is an end View of the machine shown in Figure l, with certainparts broken away and certain other parts shown in transverse section;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail view with certain parts in longitudinalsection showing certain details of the cutting mechanism;

Figure 7 is a partial fragmentary transverse sectional View takenthrough the cutting mechanism and showing certain details ofconstruction thereof;

Figure 8 is a detail partial fragmentary transverse sectional view,showing certain details of the feeding mechanism and the slidablesupport for the cutting mechanism; and

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail View showing certain details of themounting of one of the feeding cylinders.

Referring now in particular to the drawings, the embodiment of myinvention illustrated therein is shown as being mounted on a trackmounted truck or main frame it, which may be in the form of a minelocomotive. Said main frame may be propelled about the mine on the minerails by means of a motor I I, having geared connection with a pair oftrack wheels l2, l2, for driving said track wheels through the usualreduction gearing, which is not herein shown or described in detailsince it is no part of my present invention.

The main frame It is provided with a top platform 15 having parallelspaced guides Hi, It extending transversely of said main frame andhaving a turntable ll guided for transverse movement thereacross. Saidturntable, as herein shown, forms a support for a cutting elementgenerally indicated by reference character I 9, which is mountedthereon, for vertical and horizontal movement with respect thereto.

The cutting element i9 includes one pair of parallel Vertically spacedcutter bars 29, 20 extending horizontally of said main frame in onedirection, and another pair of paralleI vertically spaced cutter bars2!, 2!, extending horizontally in a diametrically opposite directionfrom the cutter bars 2t, 20. A motor 22 is provided in the space betweenthe inner ends of said cutter bars and forms a means for driving cutterchains 23, 23 about the cutter bars 23, 2t, and for driving cutterchains 24, 24 about the cutter bars 2|, 2!.

The turntable I! includes a base 25 having downwardly spaced, outwardlyextending, gibbed guide members 26, 26, extending therefrom and adaptedto have engagement with the guides l6, l6 (see Figure l). Aspring-pressed locking member 29 is provided to engage any one of aplurality of notches 30, 39, formed along the spaced annular bearingmembers 33 and 34 are provided on the top side of said base and anannular flange 35 extends upwardly from said base through a centralbored portion of said turning frame, to freelymount said turning frameon said base.-

The turning frame 3| is provided with a pair of laterally spaced,vertically extending side frame members 3'', 3!, which have supportingframe members 38, 38 mounted thereon, for vertical slidable movementwith respect thereto (see Figures 3 and 5). Each of said supportingframe members is mounted for vertical movement along the insides of itsassociated side frame member and has outwardly extending end portionsengaging opposite ends thereof. Re-

taining strips 39, 39 are secured to said end portiOnsand engage outersides of said frame members, for holding said supporting frame membersin slidable engagement with said side frame members. A channel 49 ismounted on the inside, of each side frame member and extends therealongand beyond opposite sides thereof in a horizontal direction. Saidchannels are so arranged that their fianges face each other and form asupport for a cradle 4| which is slidably mounted on said channels andforms a sliding support for the cutting element l9.

The cradle 4| includes a pair of laterally spaced guide members 59, 59extending longitudinally along said cutting element and extending overthe upper and lower flanges of the channels 49, 49. Said guide membershave facing gibbed retaining portions 69, 69, extending along the outersides of said channels, for guiding said cutting element for slidablemovement along said channels (see Figures 2, 7 and 8).

The turntable I! may be turned by power if desired, but the chieffunction of said turntable is to position the cutter bars 20, 29 and 2|,2| transversely of the truck Ill during the cutting operation, andparallel with said truck during transportation, so for the purpose ofsimplicity said turntable is herein shown as being turned by hand. Aspring-pressed pin 43 is mounted in the turning frame 3! and is adaptedto engage any one of a number of spaced apertures 44, 44, formed in thebase 25, to lock said turntable in its various desired positions ofadjustment.

The means for vertically adjusting the cutting element I9 along the sideframe members 37, 31 is similar to that shown and described in my priorPatent No. 2,220,274, so will not be herein shown and described in fulldetail. Said adjusting means includes two pairs of laterally spacedfluid pressure cylinders 46 and 41 (see Figures 1, 3 and 5) Each pair ofsaid cylinders is herein shown as being cast in a single block, slidablymounted in an open central portion 48 of one of the side frame members31, and guided therein for vertical movement with respect theretoininwardly facing channelled guides 49, 49. A piston 59 in the cylinder46, has a piston rod 5| extending upwardly therefrom. Said piston rodengages a bracket member 52, projecting outwardly from the support framemember 38. A piston 53 in the cylinder 46 has a depending piston rod 54,which is secured at its lower end to the bottom of said open portion ofsaid side frame member.

When it is desired to elevate the cutting element I9, fluid underpressure is admitted to the head ends of the cylinders 46, 46. At thesame time, fluid passes to the head ends of the cylinders 41, 41 throughpassageways 55, 55, connecting the head ends of the cylinders 46, 46with the head ends of the cylinders 41, 41. Upon the admission of fluidunder pressure to the head ends of the cylinders 46, 46, the pistons 50,59 and piston rods 5!, 5| will move upwardly along said cylinders, toelevate the cutting element.

When the pistons 50, 59 reach the extreme upper end of their travel inthe cylinders 46, 46,

fluid pressure on the head ends of the pistons 53,

element a further distance.

Fluid under pressure may also be admitted to the piston rod ends of thecylinders 46, 46. The piston rod ends of said cylinders are connectedwith the piston rod ends of the cylinders 41, 41 by means of passageways56, 56 in the blocks for said cylinders. The purpose in admitting fluidunder pressure to the piston rod ends of said cylinders is to controlthe lowering of said cutting element, and to hold pressure in the pistonrod ends of said cylinders against pressure in the head ends of saidcylinders to hold said cutting element in various fixed positions ofvertical adjustment with respect to the side frame members 31, 31.

A fluid pump 51, mounted on the turning frame 3 I, serves to draw fluidfrom a fluid storage tank 58 and to supply fluid under pressure to thefluid pressure actuated parts of the apparatus (see Figures 1 and 3).Suitable piping and a suitable system of valves (not shown) is providedfor controlling operation of the fluid pressure actuated parts of theapparatus. Said piping and system of valves may be of any ordinary type,well known to those skilled in the art, so arranged as to hold pressurein both ends of the cylinders 46, 46 and 41, 4! when it is desired tolock the cutting element in a fixed position during cutting, and is notherein shown or described in detail since it is no part of my presentinvention.

A fluid pressure cylinder 6|, mounted on the inside of the web of onechannel 40, and a fluid pressure cylinder 62 mounted on the inside ofthe web of the opposite channel 49 are provided to reciprocably movesaid cutting element along said channels. Said cylinders are each of asimilar construction, but one extends in one direction and the otherextends in an opposite direction, so one cylinder may move the cuttingelement in one direction along said channels and the other cylinder maymove said cutting element in the opposite direction along said channels.The cylinder 6| has a piston rod 63 extensible therefrom. Said pistonrod has a sheave 64 rotatably mounted on a sheave mounting 65, which ismounted on the outer end of said piston rod. Said sheave mounting isslidably guided for movement along the lower flange of the channel 49 inaguide 66 (see Figure'8). A flexible member 61 is secured to a boss 68,projecting upwardly from said cylinder. Said flexible member extendsfrom said boss around the sheave 64, backwardly along the piston rod 63and cylinder BI, and is secured at its end opposite from said boss, to alug 69, extending inwardly from the guide member 59, adjacent the endthereof opposite from the sheave 64. i

In a similar manner, a piston rod "Ill is extensible from the cylinder62 and has a sheave ll mounted on its free end. A flexible cable 12 issecured at one of its ends to said cylinder and extends therefrom aroundthe sheave H and backwardly along said piston and cylinder, and issecured at its opposite end to the guide member 59, adjacent the endthereof opposite from said sheave (see Figure 3).

The fluid connections to the cylinders iii and 62 are such that fluidmay be admitted to the piston rod end of one cylinder as it is admittedto the head end of the other cylinder, in order to prevent bindingbetween said guide members and channels, and are not herein shown ordescribed since they are no part of my present invention. The admissionof fluid under pressure to the head end of the cylinder 6! will thusmove the cutting element [9 along the channels 40, 49 in one direction,to feed the cutter bars 2!, 2| and cutter chains 24 24 into the minewall, and the admission of fluid under pressure to the head end of thecylinder 62 will move said cutting element along said channels in anopposite direction to feed the cutter bars 20, 29 and cutter chains 23,23 into the opposite mine wall.

Referring now in particular to certain details of the cutting element l9and the drive connections from the motor 22, for driving the cutterchains 23, 23 and 24, 24 around the respective cutter bars 20, 20 and2!, 2!, a frame 15 is mounted between the guide members 59, 59 of thecradle 4| and is provided with an open central portion H5, within whichthe motor 22 is mounted. Said frame is also provided with inner endportions TI, 11, open to the ends of said frame on opposite sides of theopen central portion and having laterally projecting bottom portions1.8, 18, forming supports for the oppositely extending cutter bars 26,29 and 2!, 2i, and forming a supporting means for the drive gearing fordriving the cutter chains 23, 23 and 24, 24 about their respectivecutter bars.

The cutter bars 20, 29 and 2 l, 2! are adjustably mounted on said bottomportions i8, 18 of said frame by means of bolts 19, 19 so that slack inthe cutter chains may be taken up by take-ups generally indicated byreference character 80 (see Figures 3 and 6).

The drive from opposite ends of the motor 22 to each pair of cutterchains 23, 23 and 24, 24 includes bevel pinions 8!, 8| mounted onopposite ends of an armature shaft 82 of said motor. Said drive fromsaid bevel pinions to each pair of cutter chains is the same, so thedrive to one pair of cutter chains only need herein be described.

The bevel pinion Si meshes with a bevel gear 83, journaled on its hub ina lower housing member 35, secured to the bottom portion 18 of saidframe (see Figure 6). A vertical shaft 86 extends through the hub of thebevel gear 83, and is journaled in said lower housing portion at itslower end on a ball bearing #31. The upper portion of said shaft extendsthrough and is journaled in a support member 88. Said support member issecured to the underside of the bottom portion 18, and extends upwardlythrough the latter. A sleeve 89 is journaled on the support integrallywith the upper end of said vertical shaft and is mounted within thesleeve 89. Said cap piece is slotted at its upper end. A key is adaptedto be mounted in said slotted portion and extends within suitable slotsformed in opposite sides of said sleeve 89, for rotatably driving saidsleeve and the sprockets 92, 92 from said shaft. A jaw clutch member 99is feathered on the lower end of said shaft, to selectively connect saidbevel gear with said shaft and drive the cutter chains 23, 23 about thecutter bars 20, 29.

Referring now to the use and operation of the device of my invention, asshown in Figure 2, the truck 19 is moved along the entry by its ownpower to the place where it is desired to place the roof supportingtimbers, with the cutter bars 23, 23 and 24, 22 extending longitudinallythereof, as shown in Figures 1 and 3. When it is desired to cut 'a pairof timber receiving recesses, or hitches, in opposite walls of the mine,the turntable ll may be turned so the horizontally extending cutter bars29, 29 and El, 2| are positioned substantially perpendicular to the minerails and to opposite ribs of the entry. The motor 22 may then bestarted and the cutter chains 23, 29 may be connected to be driven fromone end of said motor. At the same time, fluid under pressure may beadmitted to,the head end of the cylinder 82 and the piston rod end ofthe cylinder (it, for feeding the cutting element transversely of themain frame ill and causing the cutter chains 23, 23 to make an endwisecut in the coal face. Upon the completion of this cut, fluid underpressure may be admitted to the head end of the cylinder iii and thepiston rod end of the cylinder 52, to withdraw the cutter chains 23,

23 from the rib and feed the cutter chains 24, 24 into the opposite rib,said last mentioned cutter chains being connected to be driven from saidmotor 22 as soon as they approach the opposite wall, and said firstmentioned cutter chains being disconnected from said motor as soon asthey have been completely withdrawn from their timber receiving recess.

It may be seen from the foregoing that a simplified form of apparatushas been provided, for quickly cutting timber receiving recesses inopposite ribs of a mine entry, which consists of a novel arrangement ofcutter projecting from opposite ends of a drive motor; together with anovel support for said cutter bars permitting the cutting of one hitchin one rib as soon as the hitch in the opposite rib has been cut, andthus greatly facilitating the cutting of timber receiving recesses inopposite ribs of an entry.

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my inventionmay be embodied, it will be understood that the construction thereof andthe arrangement of the various parts may be altered without departingfrom the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not Wish to beconstrued as limiting my invention to the specific embedimentillustrated, excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a mining machine, a main frame, a cutting element slidably mountedon said main frame and including a cutter chain carrying outter barextending horizontally from said main frame in one direction, anothercutter chain carrying cutter bar extending horizontally from said mainframe in a diametrically opposite direction, and power means for movingsaid cutting element in one direction for feeding one of said cutterbars in a direction to cut a timber receiving recess in one wall of amine and for moving said cutting element in an opposite direction, tocut a timber receiving recess in an opposite wall of the mine.

2. In a mining machine, a main frame, a cutting element slidably mountedon said main frame and including a plurality of aligned cutter barsmounted on said main frame and extending therefrom in oppositedirections from a common center, cutter chains guided for movement aboutsaid cutter bars, a motor, drive connections from said motor to saidcutter chains, for driving said cutter chains about said cutter bars,and power means for moving said cutting element with respect to saidmain frame in one direction, to feed one of said cutter bars in anendwise direction into a mine wall, to cut a timber receiving notchtherein, and in a diametrically opposite direction, for feeding saidother cutter bar in an endwise direction into an opposite mine wall, tocut a timber receiving recess therein.

3. In a mining'machine, a main frame, a cutting element slidab-lymounted on said main frame and including a plurality of horizontallydisposed vertically spaced cutter chain carrying cutter bars extendingin one direction, a plurality of horizontally extending verticallyspaced cutter chain carrying cutter bars extending in a directiondiametrically opposite from said first mentioned cutter bars, and powermeans for moving said cutting element with respect to said main frame inone direction to feed said cutter bars to cut a timber receiving recessin one wall of a mine and in a diametrically opposite direction to feedsaid cutter bars to cut a timber receiving recess in an opposite wall ofthe mine.

4. In a mining machine, a main frame, a cutting element slidably mountedon said main frame and including a plurality of horizontally disposedvertically'spaced cutter chain carrying cutter bars extending in onedirection, cutter chains guided for orbital movement about said cutterbars, a plurality of horizontally extending vertically spaced cutterchain carrying cutter bars extending in a direction diametricallyopposite from said first mentioned cutter bars, cutter chains guided fororbital movement about said cutter bars, a motor disposed between theinner ends of said cutter bars, and means driven by said motor fordriving said cutter chains about said cutter bars.

5. In a mining machine, a main frame, a cutting element slidably mountedon said main frame and including a plurality of horizontally disposedvertically spaced cutter chain carrying cutter bars extending in onedirection, cutter chains guided for orbital movement about said cutterbars, a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically spaced cutterchain carrying cutter bars extending in a direction diametricallyopposite from said first mentioned cutter bars, cutter chains guided fororbital movement about said cutter bars, a motor disposed between theinner ends of said cutter bars, means driven by said motor andselectively operable to drive said cuting cradle mounted on saidturntable, for verter chains about said cutter bars, and power operatedmeans for moving said cutter bars at a feedtimber supporting recesses ina mine Wall adja-- cent the roof, a frame, a motor mounted on said framefor vertical adjustment with respect thereto, a pair of verticallyspaced cutter bars projecting from one end of said motor, cutter chainsguided for movement about said cutter bars and driven from one end ofsaid motor about said cutter bars, a pair of vertically spaced outterbars projecting from the opposite end of said motor, cutter chainsguided for movement about said cutter bars and driven from the oppositeend of said motor, and means for rectilinearly moving said frame in adirection to feed two of said cutter bars to cut a timber supportingrecess in one wall of the mine and in an opposite direction, to feedsaid other cutterbars to cut a timber supporting recess in an oppositewall of the mine.

7. In a mining machine, a track mounted truck, a turntable mountedthereon, a supporting and guiding cradle mounted on said turntable forvertical movement with respect thereto, and a cutting element mounted onsaid supporting and guiding cradle, for movement therealong, saidcutting element including a pair of parallel vertically. spacedhorizontally disposed chain carrying cutter bars, extending in onedirection, and another pair of vertically spaced parallel chain carryingcutter bars extending in a diametrically opposite direction from saidfirst mentioned cutter bars.

8. In a mining machine particularly adapted to cut timber receivingrecesses in opposite ribs of a mine entry, a track mounted truck, a turntable mounted thereon, a supporting and guiding cradle mounted on saidturntable, for vertical movement with respect thereto, and a cuttingelement mounted on said supporting and guiding cradle, for movementtherealong, and said cutting element including a motor, a pair ofvertically spaced parallel cutter bars extending from said motor in onedirection, cutter chains guided for orbital movement about said cutterbars, a pair of vertically spaced parallel cutter bars extending fromsaid motor in an opposite direction, cutter chains guided for orbitalmovement about said cutter bars, and selective drive connections to saidcutter chains from opposite ends of said motor, for driving said cutterchains about said cutter bars.

9. In a mining machine particularly adapted to cut timber receivingrecesses in opposite ribs of a mine entry, a track mounted truck, aturntable mounted thereon, a supporting and guidtical movement withrespect thereto, and a cutting element mounted on said supporting andguiding cradle, for movement therealong, and said cutting elementincluding a frame mounted on said cradle for slidable movementtherealong, a pair of parallel vertically spaced chain carrying cutterbars mounted on said frame and extending therefrom in one direction, andanother pair of parallel vertically spaced chain carrying cutter barsmounted on said frame and extending therefrom in a diametricallyopposite direction, and means for moving said frame along said cradle inone direction, to feed one pair of said cutter chains endwise into amine wall, to cut a rectangular timber supporting recess therein, and inan opposite direction, to feed another pair of said cutter chainsendwise into a mine wall, to cut a rectangular timber supporting recessin the opposite wall thereof.

10. In a mining machine particularly adapted to cut timber receivingrecesses in opposite ribs of a mine entry, a track mounted truck, aturntable mounted thereon, a supporting and guiding cradle mounted onsaid turntable, for vertical adjustment with respect thereto, and acutting element mounted on said supporting and guiding cradle, formovement therealong, said cutting element including a frame slidablymounted on said cradle, a motor mounted on said frame, a pair ofparallel vertically spaced cutter bars extending from said frame andmotor in one direction, cutter chains guided for orbital movement about;said cutter bars, a pair of parallel vertically spaced cutter barsextending from said frame and motor in a direction diametricallyopposite from said first mentioned cutter bars, cutter chains guided fororbital movement about said cutter bars, drive connections from oppositeends of said motor to said cutter chains, for driving said cutter chainsabout said cutter bars, means for moving said cutting element along saidsupporting and guiding cradle in one direction, to feed one pair of saidcutter bars endwise into one rib of a mine entry, to cut a rectangulartimber supporting recess therein, and other means for moving saidcutting element along said supporting and guiding cradle in a,diametrically opposite direction, to feed said other pair of cutter barsendwise into the opposite rib of the mine entry, to cut a rectangulartimber supporting recess therein.

11. In a mining machine particularly adapted to cut timber receivingrecesses in opposite ribs of a mine entry, a truck, a turntable mountedon said truck for transverse slidable movement with respect thereto, asupporting and guiding cradle mounted on said truck for verticalmovement with respect thereto, a cutting element mounted on saidsupporting and guiding cradle for movement therealong and including aframe, a motor mounted on said frame intermediate the ends thereof, apair of parallel vertically spaced cutter bars extending horizontallyfrom one end of said frame, each of said cutter bars having a cutterchain guided for orbital movement thereabout, another pair of parallelvertically spaced cutter bars extending horizontally from an oppositeend of said frame in a direction diametrically opposite from said firstmentioned cutter bars, each of said cutter bars having a cutter chainguided for orbital movement thereabout, selective drive connections fromopposite ends of said motor to said cutter chains, means for verticallymoving said cradle and holding it in various desired positions ofelevation thereof, to position said cutter bars to cut a timberreceiving recess along a mine roof, and means for moving said cuttingelement in opposite directions along said cradle at a feeding speed, forfeeding said cutter bars into and withdrawing them from opposite ribs ofa mine entry.

12. In a mining machine, a main frame, an elongated cutting elementsupported thereon and having cutter chain carrying cutter barsprojecting at opposite ends thereof, and power means for feeding saidcutting element endwise in opposite directions With respect to said mainframe so as to insert said cutter bars endwise 7 into opposite Walls ofthe mine in mutually

